Questions and answers: Social Security

Question: If a widow, age 60, is getting a survivor benefit on her husband‘s Social Security, can her wages reduce the Social Security benefit?

Answer: Lita Epstein, author of the “Complete Idiot’s Guide to Social Security and Medicare,” said the following:

Yes, as long as the widow is younger than full retirement age, her wages will reduce the social security benefit temporarily. The reduction is $1 for every $2 earned above $15,120. In the year before reaching full retirement it goes down to $1 for every $3 earned above $40,080. These are based on 2013 earnings levels. They are adjusted yearly for inflation. This is not a permanent reduction. The reduction will not be made once she reaches full retirement.

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